Terrorism comments got me charged: Gaynor

Bridie Jabour

Former Katter Australian Party senate candidate Bernard Gaynor claims he has been charged by the Australian Defence Force over comments he made about Muslim immigration and terrorism.

Mr Gaynor, an Army Reserve Intelligence Officer, has posted a series of blogs arguing Islam immigration should be limited and in the wake of the Boston bombings re-aired his views.

He said he was charged on Monday by the ADF for bringing the organisation into disrepute and responded by saying it was proof political correctness was hampering the ADF's ability to fight against Islamic violence.

"It is outrageous that the Australian Defence Force is charging me for discussing Islam," he said in a statement.

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His latest blog about limiting Muslim immigration is titled "ASIO concern highlights need for immigration debate" and was posted in the wake of the Boston bombings.

"As I've written a number of times before, Australians urgently need to debate the pros and cons of continued Islamic immigration," he wrote in the post.

"News that ASIO is concerned that hundreds of Muslim Australians have gone to Syria to fight with radical Islamist groups highlights that this debate must be had.

"In my opinion, it is easier to keep the chilli powder in the can than trying to pick it out of the flour once it is dropped in."

Mr Gaynor said there was a logical inconsistency between fighting a war against people who espouse violent Islamic beliefs in Afghanistan while having an immigration policy which allows Muslims to settle in Australia.

In a series of statements posted to Twitter last week Mr Gaynor said "There is no doubt that Islam drives some to commit violent atrocities".

Mr Gaynor said he has also been charged with bringing the ADF into disrepute because he criticised ADF officers marching in this year's Mardi Gras.